Welcome to First Draft. Home to my writing in-between novels, meditations on living a creative life, and invitations to live your own. It’s also where I host the occasional book club, share writing prompts, passages from books I’m reading, and lists of things I’ve recently loved.
The bio goes: Fatima Farheen Mirza is the author of A Place for Us. She is a graduate of etc. etc.
But First Draft is where I’ll bring the parts of me that never make it into the serious-yawn- bio. I love taking film photos. I’m an aspiring screenwriter. A collector of handmade mugs. Can’t eat a meal without spilling on my shirt. Been going grey since I was 13. Recently became a mother.
I’m also committed to following my curiosity and trying to write as honestly as I can, which is why I started First Draft.
So here it is. Part offering, part invitation. Let’s make something beautiful together.
xx Fatima Farheen
Why is it called First Draft?
First drafts don’t have to get it right. They only have to get it all out. They are usually the wild, free, honest and unselfconscious impulses scribbled out for us to make sense of later. Each issue will be carefully edited, of course, but this spirit is what I want to capture in each issue.
Yeah, okay, but what will the newsletters be about?
Writing, reading, the creative process, conversations with artists.
But also, possibly: relationships, city guides, musings on Love is Blind or The Crown, playlists to write to, who knows. What’s really exciting about the newsletter form is that it allows for experiments, and that it can grow organically from being in conversation with the First Draft community.
Who is First Draft for?
Anyone wanting to let the river of creativity in with practical tools and suggestions— you don’t have to be a writer.
Anyone on the lookout for insights into the creative process and thoughts on the craft of fiction.
Anyone who wants to receive occasional writing prompts and other creative invitations.
Anyone looking for their next favorite read.
People who don’t have a lot of time but want to connect with a curated paragraph or poem.
Anyone who wants to join a community of people who love books, who want to follow their curiosity, and say yes to their instincts.
Anyone who is tired of doom scrolling and wants to read thoughtful content that doesn’t spam the inbox. My goal is to make First Draft the most mindful and nourishing scroll.
Not for you but know someone who might enjoy subscribing? Consider giving them a gift subscription:
My Promises:
I’ll keep it concise & casual. I want it to be read in the time it takes to finish a mug of coffee.
I’ll challenge myself to be brave & honest with the content.
I can’t promise to be consistent— I’m a new mom trying to finish the first draft of a novel— but I do promise to make it count when I post.
I’ll put heart and work and effort into each issue. My main objective is to offer something I’ve really enjoyed putting together, something that truly excites me and wasn’t written as a chore.
I’ll share creative insights that have enriched my life, and the tools that have helped me live a life devoted to creating.
I’ll also share restaurants, movies, songs, even sweaters that make me feel that magic you’ve-got-to-check-this-out feeling. I’ll bring recommendations as personal and curated as the ones I text to my closest friends.
All my first announcements will be done here.
What’s does a paid subscription offer?
First Draft is a reader supported publication and subscriptions make this offering possible. Paid subscriptions (about the price of a latte each month) will give access to the archive, as all issues go behind a paywall after 2 weeks. Paid subscribers can also submit letters to ‘living the questions’ - a column where I respond to the questions readers are sitting with. They also have chance to join in on the occasional Book Club discussions. As First Draft continues to evolve, there will be more perks included for members.
Complimentary subscriptions are available for those who need. Inform us by subscribing and responding to the initial email to let us know.
Who designed these amazing graphics?
None other than the talented Izma Shabbir. Each detail was thoughtfully created to represent the items I keep on my desk.
xx Fatima Farheen
